Worldwide Food Waste in Muslim Marriage Ceremonies: a Case Study Conducted in Karachi, a Mega City of 23.5 Million, and City of Diverse Muslim Communities

Home , Hinduism in Pakistan, Marriage in Pakistan

International Journal of Business, Economics and Law, Vol. 10, Issue 5 (Aug.) ISSN 2289-1552 2016

WORLDWIDE FOOD WASTE IN MUSLIM MARRIAGE CEREMONIES: A CASE STUDY CONDUCTED IN KARACHI, A MEGA CITY OF 23.5 MILLION, AND CITY OF DIVERSE MUSLIM COMMUNITIES

Abdulrauf Farooqi1, 1Professor, Environment and Energy Management (EEM), IoBM, Karachi, Pakistan

Akhlaq Ahmed2 2Professor and Director Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC), IoBM, Karachi, Pakistan,

Muhammad Faisal Yaseen3 3MBA Environment and Energy Management (EEM) Student, Quality and Hygiene Supervisor, PIA Catering Food Service, Jinnah International Terminal, Karachi, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

Based on findings in Karachi, a mega case study city of diverse Muslim communities where averagely a person wastes 475 g food in marriages which is more than the average food consumed per meal at home. The diversity of Muslims in Karachi is like a rainbow of all colors and many ethnicities. The study stipulated that cumulatively worldwide Muslims waste 26.81 million tons food in marriage ceremonies. This colossal food waste will offset hunger of 184.81 million, 92.40 million, and 20.53 million people with one, two, and three meals per day. To offset hunger with three meals daily the entire population of Somalia and Haiti can benefit from worldwide saved food in Muslim marriages. Food waste inefficiencies and consumption behavior in different age groups and genders revealed inefficiencies in food consumption behavior. Main food waste causes during marriages entailed very late serving, inappropriate food combination, guest’s perception about food shortage, large per unit food portions, and scrambling of food tables. Food waste inadequacies and consumption behavior in different age groups and genders revealed inefficiencies in food consumption behavior. Good science indicates the rise in obesity and diabetes amongst Muslims in South Asia and Middle East are linked to the consumption of super-rich caloric food, notoriously sugary sweets/desserts with inactive cultural habit of exercise/walk is a recipe for obesity/diabetes. Since the present cultural norms of food waste have taken hundreds of years, it will require paradigm shift to inculcate the basic Muslim faith of eating modestly, refraining from lavish eating, and slicing down food portions/sweets to avoid obesity. The savings in food waste will offset hunger and allow obligatory fulfillment of basic human rights and obligatory fulfillment of the right of education for both genders in Islam. Proposed action plan to overcome food waste include use of OIC and IDB platform for collection/distribution, all Muslims to halve their expenditure on wedding receptions to contribute the remaining half for marriages amongst poor communities and developing awareness message with invitations; hoarding of public message along food tables to encourage self consciousness from undue food waste and saving waste.

Key words: Marriage Ceremonies, Saving Food Waste, Offsetting Hunger, Paradigm Shift, Action Plan for Saving Food Waste

1. Introduction 1.1 Background

The worldwide Muslim population generally floating amongst Muslims hover between 1.6 and 1.7 billion (Eshai, 2015; The Intellect Bulletin, 2014, and Muslim Population, 2015) whereas Western sources contend Muslim population to be about 2.06 billion and 2.01 worldwide Christians out of total average world population of 7.22 billion (World Muslim Population, 2015, and Religious Population, 2015). The annual growth rate of Muslims and Christians estimated at 1.84% and 1.32 % respectively (World Population, 2015; US Census, 2015, and World Muslim Population, 2015). This lead us to understand that today one out of every four person in the world is a Muslim.

Karachi the largest city of 23.5 million in Pakistan is teeming with 68 percent youth (The Express Tribune, 2015) out of total 191 million people (Pakistan’s Population A, B, and C, 2015) is extrapolated to contain 16 million youth. It was ironic that food wastes during marriage ceremonies in Karachi are ubiquitously seen in all the segments of society. Anthropologists contend Karachi as the melting pot of all Muslim cultures in Pakistan. On the contrary hunger can be substantially overcome in Pakistan and among Muslims in general by taking appropriate preventive measures to eliminate food waste during marriages. Karachi is the melting pot of all Muslim colors, many ethnicities, and diverse sects living in Asia. The city is like a rainbow of Muslim diversity representing all colors, sects, and most ethnicities and is also like all colored and shades of jewels emanating from many water bodies most meticulously and beautifully laid. Karachi is the commercial capital and largest mega city of Pakistan.

International Journal of Business, Economics and Law, Vol. 10, Issue 5 (Aug.) ISSN 2289-1552 2016

The country is bordered on north and east with the two most populous countries in the world. The city is mainly comprised of Muslim migrants from Afghanistan, Africa, Arabs, China, India and internal rural-urban migrants from Baluchistan, Kashmir, Punjab and Sindh. Presently Karachi boasts as hosting largest conglomeration of Muslim Pushtoons in the World. In addition, Karachi also hosts minority of Muslims migrants from non-traditional countries/ethnicity like Central Asian Republics and more than dozen countries ranging from Armenia, Brits, Dutch, Portuguese, Somalis, and Turks etc. including splashes of Non- Muslim religions such as Ahmadies, Christians, Hinduism, Judaism, and Zoroastrians ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karachi: accessed Aug.8,2016)

Though worldwide the United Nations Millennium Development Goal (UNMDG) Goal Number 1 ‘Eradication of Poverty’ extreme poverty has been halved but Pakistan has not made dent in its reduction. Translating the World Bank estimates in regard to Pakistan’s where 60% population i.e., about 115 million live below poverty line sleep hungry. Sadly on the regional scale, the poverty is significantly lower than Pakistan. This is because independent observers contend that Pakistan’s poverty eradication initiatives such as Benazir Income Support Program, Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund, Tameer Watan Program, Pakistan Bait- ul Maal, Employees Old Age Benefit Scheme, Workers Welfare Fund, and Subsidy on Food have benefitted a small percentage of the population, the progress on poverty eradication in Pakistan has been disappointing (Ali, 2015).

Control on food waste or saving food in marriage ceremonies can substantially overcome poverty. In this study the food is considered waste in between cooking and serving/eating in marriages/social functions. It is painful to see excessive food waste in both developed and underdeveloped countries such as Pakistan where control on food waste in marriage ceremonies can substantially offset hunger in Karachi. Though food waste studies have been conducted in India, UK, China, Korea, Japan and Malaysia, statistics on food waste during wedding ceremonies has been extremely limited. Holy Quran 6:141 says’ Do not waste, for Allah does not love the wasteful’. (The Noble Quran, 1985) Controlling food waste in general and marriage ceremonies in particular is though chronic social issue; it requires intrinsic understanding of the problem. Muslim marriage in Pakistan is contracted by offer and acceptance in the presence of witnesses. Culturally, it is a link between the husband and wife and an alliance between two families. Islamic marriage laws are claimed to be followed in Pakistan because about 97% population is Muslim. However during marriage ceremonies conglomeration of various customs and traditions including a blend of Islamic and non-Islamic traditions are widely observed all over the world amongst Muslims. Though Islamic marriage is a legal obligation, Muslims generally do not follow religion during marriage ceremonies and instead most marriage traditions are drawn from other cultures such as Hinduism in Pakistan. Apropos, the objectives of the present study were: a. To understand current food wastage in wedding ceremonies amongst Muslims in Karachi and worldwide b. To suggest measure to mitigate food loses during marriage and social functions, and c. To suggest efficient and effective utilization of food

2. Food Waste

Food waste is not only the Muslim’s issue but a global issue of mankind. Food Waste refers to the ultimate loss of edible food destined for human consumption. The food loss occurs at all the stages from farm to table. In developed countries most food waste is at consumption stage whereas in developing countries the most loss is during supply chain. The FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization) estimates that globally one third (approximately 1.3 billion tons per year) food produced for human gets wasted out of which total food waste in UK, Sub-Saharan Africa and Worldwide are of the order of 8.3, 230, and 1300 million tons per annum respectively. Karachi being the mega city of Pakistan is the largest city in the Muslim world, and third- largest in the world has population density of over 24,000 people per square kilometer (63,000 per square mile). Karachi’s middle class constitutes 55% (13 million) whereas the remainder 25% (5.8 million) and 20% (4.7 million) fall in upper and lower class (Dawn News, 2012 and Durr-e-Nayab, 2010).

Holy Quran 7:31 states, “And Eat and drink, but not by extravagance (excessive). Indeed, He (Allah) likes not those who waste by extravagance, or by committing excess (The Noble Quran, 1985).” A Hadith in Tirmizi further advises Muslims to leave “one third of the belly with food, another third with drink and leave one third empty for easy breathing’

2.1 Excesses Food Consumption is a growing World Muslim’s Problem

Worldwide nearly two billion people in the age group of 15 and over are overweight i.e., obese. It will be surprising to know that obesity is more than twice as many underweight people in the world. Obesity substantially increases risk of diabetes, hypertension, heart attack, stroke, osteoarthritis, gall bladder disease, respiratory complications, and some cancer (Cunningham and Cunningham, 2015, and Gustavsson et al., 2013). Obesity prevalence amongst Muslims will at least be the same if not more though increasing trends are clearly visible in many effluent Muslims countries can be attributed to increased consumption of energy rich oily and sugary foods and lack of exercise. Eating excess food than our bodies needs could be considered a form of food waste. Consequently eating excessively should not mean that one becomes food disposal basket degrading himself/herself into obese. Though food dumping in stomach is a food waste in itself, it directly leads to sicknesses/diseases and preclude to many diseases.

2.3 Recycling Of Food Waste and Composting

International Journal of Business, Economics and Law, Vol. 10, Issue 5 (Aug.) ISSN 2289-1552 2016

In Karachi recycling waste food i.e. leftovers on food table, unconsumed food in plates, excess cooked food remained un-served in mega cooking utensils etc., is generally carried out under the carpet that will require separate study. However, all unhygienic leftover food can be converted into organic fertilizers by composting. Organic material’s decomposition is permeated in containers/dug holes where naturally occurring micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi, small invertebrates, such as earthworms and millipedes help to complete the decomposition process. Composting converts organic waste into rich, dark colored compost/humus, in a few weeks/months under controlled conditions and has many benefits (Adhikari, 2005)

3. Material and Methods

3.1 Data Collection, Hypothesis, and Statistical Analysis: The consumable leftover food destined to be thrown away as garbage /waste food i.e., leftover food contained in Plates and, Dishes, Polythene Bags were collected and weighed using Digital Balance. The study spanned over 35 families (7 families in each of the five Karachi’s districts namely North, South, East, West & Central) comprising of 192 persons. The observations included all left-over meat/beef/fish pieces that were initially placed in large garbage bags destined to be picked up before final disposal to dustbin as a valued item to be used/sold to various cheap local restaurants. Additionally the net weight of individual invitee’s leftover food was measured by weighing and deducting the dry/empty dishes and plastic/garbage bags weights. Statistical computation (T-Test table 4and ANOVA Table 9 and Figure 5) to determine gender wise food consumption/left over were carried out by considering following two hypotheses:

H0: Average food consumption of male in wedding ceremonies = Average food consumption of female in wedding ceremonies H1: Average food consumption of male in wedding ceremonies ≠ Average food consumption of female in wedding ceremonies

3.2 Snapshot of Major Food Waste Causes: This was studied by randomly asking carefully drafted questions in which guests were asked to comment on other’s behavior rather than the guests who volunteered to respond. 3.3 Wedding Halls in Karachi

Karachi where statistics of registered Wedding Halls was not available for variety of reasons, the data of all registered/unregistered functional Wedding Hall was arduously collected.

3.4 Solemnization of Marriages in Karachi

The marriage statistics for Karachi indicated that zero or no marriage was solemnized in the month of Moharram. However, keeping in view the worldwide Muslims being Sunni (Islamic Research Foundation, 2015 and Islamic Web, 2015) and increasing trend of intermarriages between Sunni and Shia in non-Muslim countries the 11 months data was used to extrapolate 12th. Month’s data in Karachi’s statistics. Generally the ten days of Moharram is avoided for marriages but outpaced in remaining days. It may be interesting to note that Sunni and Shia intermarriages are more common than Catholics and Protestants equivalent in Christianity.

3.5 Limitations of the Study

This being first exploratory research, attempt has been made to assess Food Waste Behavior during Marriages in Karachi. As we know, Karachi as the mega city Pakistan is a melting pot of all cultures and rightly called ‘Little Pakistan’ and invariability considered as ‘Mecca of Diversity’ where people of all socioeconomic, religious, cultural, minorities and regional background reside. Moreover, the city has massively benefited due to its being economic hub/commercial capital /port city of Pakistan, and where the living standards of the hard working people have gone up. Consequently, the number and size of social gatherings has increased, consequently it was difficult to quantify food wastes in social gatherings/functions, other than marriages. Apropos, the study had following limitations: a. Difficulty in accurately quantifying food wastage in marriage ceremonies b. Stakeholders hesitant to reveal facts c. Limited previous studies on food wastage during wedding ceremonies d. Majority of Weddings Halls are unregistered and therefore owners and knowledgeable people were extremely discrete about revealing the information for well known reasons.

4. Results and Discussion 4.1 Marriage Halls in Karachi

The Zone-wise data on Marriage Halls and its corresponding capacity indicated that a total of 5000 Main Wedding Halls exist in Karachi (Table 1). This figure excludes the tents pitched outside or inside residence or in vacant neighboring plots for marriage functions.

International Journal of Business, Economics and Law, Vol. 10, Issue 5 (Aug.) ISSN 2289-1552 2016

Table 1 Number of Marriage Halls in Karachi

Main Halls Marriage Average No. of Sub Halls Total Marriage Halls Zones (No.) (No.) (No.)

East 550 2 1100 West 300 2 600

South 350 2 700 North 850 2 1700 Central 450 2 900

Total 2500 2 5000

4.2 Solemnization of Marriages

The record of the Wedding Halls (Table 2) that no marriage was solemnized in the month of Moharram in Karachi. Extrapolating on worldwide wise data, out of 23.5 million Karachi’s population 47.3 million Muslim marriages were solemnized worldwide. Assuming two receptions per marriage (Table 2) the percent of marriages comes to around 2.3% of the Muslims around the world.

Table 2 Statistics of Marriages Statistics in Respect To Islamic Months

Statistics Of Marriages With Respect To Islamic Months

S.No Islamic Months Lunar Months Total Marriages

1. RABI UL THANI JANUARY-2013 99000 2. JUMADA AWWAL FEBURARY-2013 79200 3. JUMADA US THANI MARCH-2013 69300 4. RAJAB APRIL-2013 49500 5. SHABAN MAY-2013 39600 6. RAMADAN JUNE-2013 19800 7. SHAWAL JULY-2013 217800 8. ZUL-QAADAH AUGUST-2013 79200 9. ZUL-HIJJAH SEPTEMBER-2013 217800 10. MOHARRAM OCTOBER-2014 90,000 11. SAFAR NOVEMBER-2014 19800 12. RABI UL AWWAL DECEMBER-2014 99000 Total Marriages in a year 1080,0000

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Figure 1 Marriage Statistics With Respect To Hijra Figure 2 Marriage Statistics With Respect To Hijra Calendar-Bar Diagram Calendar-Pie Chart 250000 217800 217800 NOVEMB ER, 200000 19800 OCTOBE DECEMB SEPTEMB R, 0 ER, ER, 99000 150000 217800 99000 JANUARY 99000 , 99000 100000 79200 79200 69300 AUGUST, Total Total Marriges 49500 79200 FEBURAR 39600 50000 Y, 79200 19800 19800 JULY, MARCH, 217800 0 69300 0 APRIL, JUNE, 49500 19800 MAY, 39600 Months

Figure 3 Marriage Statistics With Respect To Islamic Calendar-Bar Diagram Figure 4 Marriage Statistics WithRespect To Islamic Calendar-Pie Chart

250000 217800 217800 SAFAR, RABI UL JUMADA MOHA 19800 AWWAL, AWWAL, RRAM, 200000 99000 79200 0

150000 99000 RABI UL THANI, 99000 ZUL- 99000 100000 79200 79200 HIJJAH, 69300 217800 49500

Total Marriages 39600 50000 ZUL- 19800 19800 QAADAH, 0 79200 0

SHAWAL, JUMAD 217800 A US

RAJABTHANI, , 4950069300

Islamic Months RAMADA SHABAN, N, 19800 39600 4.3 Snapshot of Food Waste Behavior in Wedding Reception

Snapshot of the major food waste causes investigated during wedding reception and social gathering: a. Late Serving: Most often food is served very late in wedding receptions in Karachi; unlike the rest of Pakistan food is served past mid-night or at times at dawn well into the next day. Normally the guests come without super and they tend to get exceedingly hungry and in the process collect excessive amount of food than their normal capacity. This often led to leaving about half or more food in plates as waste. Those who attend wedding reception first time in Karachi visiting from elsewhere in Pakistan get their shocking experience of late eating. b. Guests Unawareness regarding Food Waste: Most guests in wedding/social functions all over Pakistan gather large quantities of food than they could possibly consume which is apparently considered as normal c. Inappropriate Food Combination: For example too many (meat/beef/vegetable source curries, deep-fried chicken/fish, ‘biryani’ (rice with meat/chicken made in Pakistani style), sweet dish (normally more than two), sweet soda drinks of famous makes; during summer-Kulfi (local ice-cream); winter- Halva. Often-sugar loaded Pakistani sweats are served in addition. Most often wedding reception is preceded by two or more starters (common starters served in wedding reception: Samosa, Halva, deep-fried chicken/fish pieces/ Pakora made with garbanzo beans powder mixed with vegetables/onions and powdery condiments mixed in water duly battered and deep fried in small portions). d. Scrambling Around Food Tables: To avoid long queues/waiting time, guests take large food portions in their plates. Scrambling of guests around food tables often results in guests collecting large quantities of food irrespective of the personal likeness keeping aside Muslim’s values of collecting food in eatable portions.

International Journal of Business, Economics and Law, Vol. 10, Issue 5 (Aug.) ISSN 2289-1552 2016

The average food consumed and wasted in marriage ceremonies are tabulated in Table 3 and Figures 5 to 8.

Table 3 Consolidated food waste proportions during wedding ceremonies

Family Ages Total waste Total Eaten Members (Year) (g) (g)

Ceremony I

Father 51 490 1125 Mother 42 485 810

Son 17 485 850 Daughter A 19 430 540

Daughter B 15 410 550

Ceremony II Father 55 860 1090 Mother 46 475 955

Son A 12 350 540

Son B 20 365 1025 Daughter A 15 320 570 Daughter B 18 400 640

Ceremony III Father 58 560 1335 Mother 49 415 945

Son A 25 810 625

Daughter 19 410 530 Son B 16 475 455 Grand Father 83 540 445

Grand Mother 76 335 480 Average 475.00 738.95

The data on average food consumption in wedding (g/person) are reported in figure 3 and 4 presented as follows:

Figure 5 Food Consumption in Wedding Ceremonies (g/person-Female)-Pie Chart Figure 6 Food Consumption in Wedding Ceremonies (g/person-Female)-Bar Diagram

900 2--3 1% 39-49, 805.91 50-60, 769.55 0-1 800 = > 71years) 4--5 28-38, 730.45 8% 0% 4% 17-27, 672.27 700 6--16 61-71, 603.18 9% 600 61-71 13% 500 6--16, 439.55 17-27 15% = > 71years), 390 400

50-60 17% 300

Food Consumption Consumption Food (g) 4--5, 205 28-38 16% 200 39-49 17% 100 2--3, 30 0-1, 0 0 0-1 2--3 4--5 6--16 17-27 28-38 39-49 50-60 61-71 = > 71years)

Age Group (Years) Female (g/person)

International Journal of Business, Economics and Law, Vol. 10, Issue 5 (Aug.) ISSN 2289-1552 2016

Figure 8 Food Consumption in Wedding Ceremonies (g/person-Male)-Bar Diagram Figure 7 Food Consumption in Wedding Ceremo

nies (g/person-Male)-Pie Chart 900 39-49, 845.91 50-60, 805.91 800 28-38, 770.45 2--3 0-1 1% 0% 17-27, 705 700 61-71, 649.55 = > 4--5 71years) 4% 6--16 9% 600 10% 61-71 13% 500 6--16, 472.27 = > 71years), 440 17-27 14% 400

Consumption Food (g) 50-60 300 16% 4--5, 225 28-38 16% 200 39-49 17% 100 2--3, 30 0-1, 0 0 0-1 2--3 4--5 6--16 17-27 28-38 39-49 50-60 61-71 = > 71years) Age Group (Years)

The statistical analysis of the male and female food consumption indicated that, male consumes more food than females in wedding ceremonies (Figure 5 to 8). The reason for female eating less food is mainly because females own responsibility for feeding children and traditionally females eat after males. In addition, during wedding the women generally are involved in socializing that includes match making.

4.4 Statistical Computation 4.4.1 T-Test of Food Consumption in Wedding Ceremonies

T-Test on average food consumption in wedding ceremonies is reported in Table 4 presented as follows: Table 4 T-Test of Food Consumption in Wedding Ceremonies

Paired Samples Test

Paired Differences 95% Confidence Interval of the Pair 1 Std. Std. Error t df Sig. (2-tailed) Mean Difference Male - Female Deviation Mean Lower Upper 29.81800 17.71047 5.60054 17.14869 42.48731 5.324 9 .00045

Rejecting H0 that the Average consumption of food in wedding ceremonies of male and female is not equal 4.4.2 ANOVA-Test of Food Consumption in Wedding Ceremonies

The ANOVA-test analysis based on food waste against families in marriage ceremonies reported in Table 5 and Figures 9 to 12

Table 5 ANOVA-Test of Food Wastage in Wedding Ceremonies (Three families shown in Table 3)

ANOVA ( Major Dish ‘Qoorma’ Waste)

Sum of Squares df Mean Square F Sig.

International Journal of Business, Economics and Law, Vol. 10, Issue 5 (Aug.) ISSN 2289-1552 2016

Between Groups 3701.230 2 1850.615 3.042 .078

Within Groups 9126.548 15 608.437

Total 12827.778 17 ANOVA ( Major Dish ‘Broast’ waste)

Between Groups 8218.254 2 4109.127 .844 .449

Within Groups 73026.190 15 4868.413

Total 81244.444 17 ANOVA (Major Dish ‘Biryani’ waste)

Between Groups 5497.063 2 2748.532 .558 .584

Within Groups 73843.214 15 4922.881

Total 79340.278 17 ANOVA ( Minor Dish ‘Desserts’ waste) 5556.111 2 2778.056 2.265 .138 Between Groups Within Groups 18400.833 15 1226.722

Total 23956.944 17

Figure 9 ‘Broast’ Waste Against Families Figure 10 ‘Biryani’ Waste Against Families

Figures 9-12 showing the ANOVA-test result of food waste against families in wedding ceremonies

Figure 12 ‘Qoorma’ Waste Against Families Figure 11 ‘Desserts’ Waste Against Families

Mean of ‘Biryani’ Waste Waste ‘Biryani’ of Mean

Mean of ‘Broast ‘ Waste Waste ‘ ‘Broast of Mean

Dessert ‘ Waste ‘ Waste Dessert

Meanof ‘

Waste ‘Qoorma’ of Mean

4.4.3 Statistical Conclusions According to the analysis of variance (Table 5 and Figure 5-8) the significance value P greater than the level of significance alpha α which means that we don’t reject null hypothesis and conclude that there is no significant difference in the wastage of desserts in the wedding ceremony of the three families.

4.5 Food Waste Computation Methods during Marriage Ceremonies in Karachi

Two methods of food waste calculation were used.

International Journal of Business, Economics and Law, Vol. 10, Issue 5 (Aug.) ISSN 2289-1552 2016

Method A Average food waste in wedding ceremonies = 475 g/person/occasion (Table 3) Average total guest invited per marriage ceremonies = 300 (Data obtained from wedding halls) Total number of receptions per marriage = 2 (not taking into account increasing trend that marriage ceremonies comprise of additional traditional parties such as ‘Mehndi’ Hena dyeing and Mayo, tradition of bride’s isolation from males). Total marriage Halls in Karachi (Approx) = 5000 (Each main hall is comprises of at least two sub halls of 300 capacity each, Table 1) Total marriage ceremonies per month per wedding hall in Karachi = 18 / month (This data is based on information provided by hall owners) Total month for marriages (Approx) = 12 (Table 2) Total food waste generated during marriage ceremonies in Karachi (Approx) =307,800 tons per year

Method B Average food waste in wedding ceremonies = 475 g/person/occasion (Table 3) Number of marriages in 2014 =1080,000 (Table 2) Average total guest invited per marriage ceremonies = 300 (Data obtained from wedding halls) Total number of receptions per marriage = 2 (not taking into account increasing trend the marriage ceremonies comprise of additional traditional parties ‘Mehndi’ Hena dyeing and Mayo, tradition of bride’s isolation from males but in this present calculation theses extra parties have been excluded). Total food waste generated during marriage ceremonies in Karachi (Approx) = 307,800 tons per year Both the above mentioned methods provided same result.

4.6 Offsetting Hunger by Saving Waste Food Generated During Wedding Ceremonies

Daily consumption of food (Approx) = 1.2 Kg/person (This information is collected from different study) Average food consumption per person per meal = 400 g/person Table 6 provides the details of offsetting of hunger by providing 1, 2 and 3 meals / day

Table 6 Offsetting hunger with waste food saved in Muslim marriage ceremonies

Waste food Offsetting hunger per person per day at rate 400g per meal bases annually Waste food saved savings in per year marriage

ceremonies One meal daily Two meal daily Three meal daily

(Specify) (Thousand tons) (Number of persons in millions) Karachi (23.5 Million 282 1.93 0.96 0.64 population) Worldwide Muslims 26,982 184.81 92.40 20.53 (2.06 Billion)

Table 6 stipulated that food waste in marriages if saved as clean and healthy food, it will offset hunger amongst 184.81 million people comprising of total population of Ethiopia, Sudan, Niger, Chad and Somalia with provision of one meal daily for the whole year. With provision of two meals per day per year basis 92.4 million people of the entire population of Afghanistan, Mali, Benin, Somalia, and Burundi will fully benefit. However, in case three meals daily were to be served then entire population of Somalia and Haiti equivalent to 20.5 million people can benefit from the saved food in Muslim marriages worldwide (Countrywide Population, 2015). Additional similar studies in one country each in the Africa, Middle East, Europe, and Americas will enrich authenticity and reliability of the results.

4.7 Action Plan on Saving Food Waste during Marriage Ceremonies

Based on the food waste observations during marriage ceremonies in Karachi, action plan to control food waste is proposed in Table 7. The action plan entails action topics, service-to-society message, and objective. The action plan will induce paradigm shift in our eating behavior and self awareness on food waste. In addition, Muslims to seriously consider on reducing their cultural per unit size of oil fried eateries such as ‘Samosa’, ‘Paties’, ‘Kebabs’ etc. and sweats into tits bits or mini sizes so collect in plates only the quantity that can be fully consumed and keep the remainder saved in serving plates.

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Table 7: Action Plan on Food Waste during Wedding Ceremonies ACHIEVEMENT ACTION TOPIC SERVICE-TO-SOCIETY MESSAGE (Objective to be achieved) Waste no food. Inculcate think-while- 1. Waste no food. Save clean and healthy food for the you eat motto of life 2. Save food for 76 million hungry in hungry in society ‘You eat to live and not live to eat’ Pakistan 1. Eat not that will make you sick 2. Take small eatable healthy food portions. It will give opportunity to Think-while-you-eat (General) Save would be waste food for the poor take food which that you love to eat 3. Save healthy food for millions sleeping hungry 1. Eat healthy portions to stay healthy Save yourself from overeating illnesses- 2. Over eating leads to obesity, avoid becoming part of millions Think-while-you eat (during reception) diabetes, cardio vascular and other suffering from obesity and other over- life threatening diseases eating related diseases worldwide 1. Waste no food 1. Take consumable healthy portions 2. Act individually from over-eating in serving plate food related illnesses such as 2. Ensure maintaining hygiene on food obesity/ diabetes just to name a few table Think-while-you eat (wedding 3. Save excess food healthy/clean for 3. Avoid becoming sick/obese by over ceremonies) poor. Globally 1.3 billion tons of eating food or one-third food produced is 4. Act individually to eat healthy food lost/wasted annually. Think of 80 servings while leaving unspoiled million Pakistanis living in abject healthy food for others poverty

4.8 A Polite, Humble and Inspirational Message For Saving Food From getting Waste a Service-To –Society

It is strongly believed that inculcating self consciousness regarding food waste such as inspirational messages printed on invitation card and hoarding of messages along food tables developed herein under will make paradigm shift in food eating habits and saving food for the needy. 4.9 An Important Service-To-Society Poster Message in Wedding Reception

A polite, humble and inspirational message for saving food from waste as a service-to-society All the distinguished guests are respectfully informed that there will be plentiful food for guests. However, at times a large part of the food will either be getting ready, under preparation, and on its way for serving distinguished guests as fresh, clean, and healthy food. In Islam, eating less holds great health and spiritual benefits while excessive eating is not condoned and instead leaving some space in stomach is advised to maintain good health. Health is one of the most magnificent Grace of Allah. As a part of religious Islamic duty, we all need to remind ourselves that taking food in eatable (consumable) portions will leave no leftover food in serving dishes for throwing away as garbage. As a service-to-society message and being part of the great cherished Islamic religion, it is our moral obligation to think of about 76 million people in Pakistan and billion worldwide who sleep empty stomach. All food which will be left as clean, healthy, and safe food from this reception will be respectfully served to those in need. Billion thanks on behalf of billions, for favor of kind attention

5. Conclusions and Recommendations

5.1 Conclusions

Some food waste causes identified in wedding ceremonies/social gatherings were late serving often slipping into early next morning, inappropriate food serving combinations, unawareness of guest about food waste, guest’s perception about food shortage, and congested food corners/high tables, and guests/hosts involvement in food waste. The food waste in marriages amounted to 282,150 tons in 2014. If this quantum of food waste is saved as clean food, it will offset hunger of 1.65 million, 0.96 million and 0.64 million people on 1, 2 and 3 meals per day basis respectively annually. In 2014, 495000 marriages were solemnized in Karachi comprising of 23.5 million people and 16 million youth. This constitutes solemnization of about 4 per cent marriages based on the total population and 6 percent marriages based on 16 million youth. According to our estimate Karachi has about 5000 Wedding Halls out of which only about a quarter were registered. This number does not include marriages organized by pitching tents in houses/ streets or vacant plots etc. The study found that females exhibit conscientiousness in the food intake and gather and waste less food than male.

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5.2 Recommendations

Since the present cultural norms of food waste has taken hundreds of years to become part of our cultural heritage, it will require paradigm shift in our understanding and approach at individual and collective level to behave responsibly while eating food. The recipe for such a change has been proposed in action plan (Table 7). It is believed that as a Muslim if we are reminded of our obligations at eating during wedding ceremonies then we as a part of Muslim society will conscientiously be able to save food for 76 million people in Pakistan who sleep hungry. It is proposed that the action plan, the polite message and poster message be translated in all local languages for better understanding and should be widely disseminated in all marriage ceremonies to bring paradigm shift in our eating habits and saving food for the hungry. The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) should use their good offices to develop Food Waste during marriage ceremonies collection, distribution, monetization, and its Management Program to tap this valuable asset to offset hunger amongst Muslims and non-Muslims living under below poverty levels.

5.3 Food-For-Thought

A paradigm shift in behavioral change is required for saving food waste in marriage ceremonies and social gatherings by limiting oneself in collecting food in serving plates strictly in eatable portions instead of overwhelming qualities. Such a paradigm shift in individualized food collection behavior will result in saving food to offset hunger of those fellow humans who sleep hungry.

References

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International Journal of Business, Economics and Law, Vol. 10, Issue 5 (Aug.) ISSN 2289-1552 2016

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